Attending a wine tasting was something I always wanted to try. The Tasting Room at Randolph and Ashland in the West Loop was my first experience trying a wine tasting, and I really enjoyed it. It has a very unique atmosphere, which I found very welcoming being a fairly recent newcomer to the world of wine. It’s a mix between an intimate and lively atmosphere, which felt welcoming to all who enjoy wine. All tables are lit by candlelight and extremely flimsy. I thought I was going to snap the table in half! But that isn’t important. The highlight of this place is how the atmosphere creates a great channel of communication between two people by offering a very comfortable experience.

They have a massive wine menu of over 100 varieties, and most are available in wine flights. The flights are served on a paper slab, labeling each wine. In my experience with beer flights, I usually forget what is in front of me because beer flights are generally served on a wooden slab. The wine flights at Tasting Room are pretty much mapped out for you. The selection of wines was very impressive, with styles from all over the world.

I recently wrote a post about why men should explore wine. My experience at The Tasting Room is a great example as to why more men should accept wine and give it a try. Joining me on my first wine tasting experience was my good friend, fellow blogger and wine enthusiast, Rhonda of The Travel Pixie.

One of the points I made in my post about men and wine was having a common ground with women. When deciding on something to do, I wanted to do something that would be fun for both of us. If I would have dragged her to a microbrewery, she wouldn’t have enjoyed hanging out together very much. Going to a wine cafe was a place we both felt very comfortable at, and had a great time.

For all you fellow men, even if you don’t have any female friends, it’s also a great idea for your spouses or significant others. Don’t be afraid, invite your fellow buddies too. We saw a couple instances of heterosexual men enjoying wine together at The Tasting Room. A man who is not afraid of what society dictates is a confident and secure man.